Student Chef Chainey Kuykendall Wins Sixth Annual S&D Culinary Challenge
Johnson & Wales University Charlotte junior awarded $5,000 for coffee-infused creation
Johnson & Wales University Charlotte junior awarded $5,000 for coffee-infused creation
CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Concord-based S&D Coffee and Tea (S&D), the largest supplier of coffee to restaurants in America, is proud to announce that Johnson & Wales University (JWU) Charlotte junior Chainey Kuykendall took top honors in its highly competitive annual Culinary Challenge held March 15 at the school's Charlotte campus. The student chef, a native of Mount Airy, North Carolina, wowed a distinguished panel of judges and a packed auditorium with her Carolinas-inspired dish titled "Cheerful Blend of Carolina," coffee-marinated beef ribs with sweet potato and congee mixture, and walked away with the grand prize of $5,000.
Students submitted original recipes embracing the Carolinas Cookin' theme and using S&D coffee and tea extracts, with ultimately 10 submissions making it through to the final round. The finalists were paired with some of Charlotte's most notable chefs who mentored and helped them polish their culinary and presentation skills in preparation for the finale. The chef mentors were also competing for dollars – vying for a protégé win to receive a $5,000 donation to benefit the mentor's charity of choice.
Kuykendall's chef mentor Cody Suddreth, executive chef of The King's Kitchen & Bakery, received the donation on behalf of his restaurant, a nonprofit serving southern-inspired cuisine with proceeds feeding the poor and operating an on-site job-training program.
"Participating in this competition alongside Chainey was an inspiration," said Suddreth. "Her drive, commitment and attention to detail got her to where she needed to be. She's extremely talented, creative, filled with a passion for cooking and will excel at any culinary path she chooses."
John Buckner, vice president of marketing at S&D, was equally impressed by Kuykendall. "Chainey's unique approach to incorporating her Filipino background with her North Carolina upbringing was truly unique and memorable for everyone in that auditorium," said Buckner. "The talent, creativity and eagerness of these up-and-coming chefs are something to celebrate. S&D's honored, through our ongoing partnership with JWU, we're able to engage the larger culinary community and provide real-life culinary experiences for the students so they can excel in the foodservice industry."
In addition to the grand prize, the following recognitions were awarded:
2nd Place ($1,500)
Tracy-Ann Mitchell, junior, Portmore, Jamaica, Southern Belle (poached stuffed apples with sweet potato ice cream, coffee praline and a ginger caramel sauce)
3rd Place ($750)
Joy Turner, senior, Heath Springs, South Carolina, Low Country Jamm'in (refined take on the southern stable shrimp and grits)
Best Rub, Marinade and Sauce Recipe ($250)
Owen Beatty, junior from Oxnard, California, S&Delicious BBQ Sandwich (smoked and brined pork belly with Carolina cherry BBQ sauce and coleslaw dressing)
Facebook Fan Favorite ($250)
Olivia Pedroff, sophomore from Saint Petersburg, Florida, and Maria Meacher, sophomore from Chesapeake, Virginia, Southern Shrimp n' Grits (shrimp and grits with chorizo-coffee gravy)
Best Demo Presentation ($250)
Taylor Hughes, sophomore from Waxhaw, North Carolina, and Chance McWhorter, junior from Rolla, Missouri, I'll Take My Coffee Black … In a Chocolate Raspberry Torte Cake (chocolate coffee cake with a raspberry reduction and silky chocolate-rum ganache)
The students' dishes and presentations were judged by an expert panel of culinary insiders – Chris Aquilino, corporate executive chef for Compass Group North Carolina; Heidi Billotto, food expert and restaurant critic; Jenny Brulé, NBC Charlotte chef and cookbook author; Brian Foye, president of Seasons 52; and Eric Nakata, vice president of culinary innovation at S&D Coffee and Tea.
For more information on the Culinary Challenge, please visit facebook.com/sndcoffee.
About S&D Coffee and Tea
S&D Coffee and Tea is the nation's largest custom coffee roaster and supplier of iced tea to the foodservice industry. S&D is also a leading producer of liquid extracts. In continuous operation since 1927, the company serves over 100,000 customers through national distribution and direct store delivery. For more information, go to sdcoffeetea.com.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160317/345382
SOURCE S&D Coffee and Tea
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